Create Your West Highland Way Route Itinerary
Choose your pace, set your dates, and generate a personalised day-by-day plan. Four speed profiles from trail runner to explorer. No login required.
Free West Highland Way GPX Route Files
Download free GPX route files for the West Highland Way, split by day to match your personal itinerary. Each GPX file covers a single stage from Milngavie through Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and the Devil's Staircase to Fort William, with full elevation data. Load them onto Komoot, AllTrails, Garmin, OS Maps, Maps.me, Apple Watch, or any GPS-compatible device. No sign-up required.
How Long Does the West Highland Way Route Take?
The West Highland Way stretches approximately 154 km (96 miles) from Milngavie to Fort William. Most walkers complete the route in 7 to 8 days, averaging around 12 to 14 miles per day. Fastpackers can complete it in around 5 days, while experienced trail runners tackle the entire route in as few as 4 days.
West Highland Way Route — Sample Itineraries
Four sample route itineraries based around 8 hours of walking per day, south to north from Milngavie to Fort William.
- 8-Day Explorer Route Itinerary — Take your time and savour every mile
- 7-Day Hiker Route Itinerary — The classic week-long route
- 5-Day Fastpacker Route Itinerary — Covering more ground each day
- 4-Day Trail Runner Route Itinerary — A long-weekend blitz for endurance athletes
What to Expect on the West Highland Way Route
Starting from Milngavie, the West Highland Way covers 154 kilometres of Scotland's most varied and dramatic landscapes. Over seven to nine days, walkers travel from the suburbs of Glasgow into the heart of the Highlands, finishing beneath Ben Nevis in Fort William.
Best Time to Walk the West Highland Way Route
Spring brings longer days and quieter trails. Summer offers the best chance of warm weather but peak midge season. Autumn is arguably the finest time with golden bracken, fewer midges, and stable weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does your Itinerary Planner help me plan my adventure?
Tell the planner your start date, walking pace and daily hours, then hit Generate Itinerary. It accounts for distance, terrain and elevation to produce a realistic day-by-day schedule you can download with your actual dates.
Can I download GPX route files of my itinerary?
Yes — our planner generates free GPX route files for the West Highland Way, split by day to match your personal itinerary. No sign-up required.
How accurate are your time calculations?
Timings model each route using flat terrain speed, climbing speed, descent efficiency, and the specific terrain profile — not simple distance-based averages.